Index of University Press Releases

May 15, 2006

DWU students honored at convocation

MITCHELL, S.D. - Several Dakota Wesleyan University students were honored on April 30, at the 2006 Honors Sunday convocation held on campus.

Students were recognized for honors in scholarship and for active participation in a variety of campus clubs or events. In addition, Alumni Medals were presented to outstanding students in various academic departments.

DWU is a private, liberal arts university associated with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Around 700 students are enrolled in various academic majors, with more than 70 percent of them coming from South Dakota.

Following is a list of students and the awards they received:

Alumni Medals for scholarship
Accounting – Nick Gianou, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Courtney Petersen, Burke
Art – Danna McCloud, Mitchell
Biology – Kristina Wattier, Dell Rapids
Business Administration – Jamie Thompson, Plankinton
Chemistry – Kristina Wattier, Dell Rapids
Criminal Justice – Christine Wilmot, Winner
Education – Valerie Reeves, Howard (elementary); and Jennifer Gustin, Rapid City (secondary)
History – Timothy Barnaud, Nisland
Human Services – Jerilyn Fischer, Mitchell
Languages – Heather Winnan, Marengo, Ill.
Literature – Jenna Anderson, Sheridan, Wyo.
Mathematics – Nikki Hobbie, Mitchell; and Ashley Schoenfelder, Ethan
Music – Heidi Larson, DeSmet
Nursing – Jamie Schuman Feiok, Geddes
Physical Education – Matthew Sedivy, Alliance, Neb.
Psychology – Jill Parsons, Sioux Falls
Religion and Philosophy – Benjamin Bonnett-Brooks, Deadwood
Sociology – Jennifer Steilen, Alexandria

University Scholars
To graduate as a University Scholar, students are required to complete at least three honors courses, have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and present a senior seminar.
Benjamin Bonnett-Brooks, Deadwood; Jerilyn Fischer, Mitchell; Jill Parsons, Sioux Falls; Lindsey Reandeau, Fremont, Neb.; Ashley Schoenfelder, Ethan; Kristina Wattier, Dell Rapids

Jerry M. Trimble Leadership Award
This award is presented annually to a student leader who exhibits academic integrity, ability to grow and change, and for influencing students and colleagues.
Benjamin Irlbeck, Wabasha, Minn.; and Elisha Webster, Mitchell

Jennie Orr Memorial Scholarship
This award is given to an outstanding art student who demonstrates character, culture, citizenship and craft.
Matthew Bruzewski, Platteville, Colo.

Harriet N. Houk Scholarship
Awarded to biology majors who maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Bronson Heth, Winner; Brett Maag, Tripp; Julie Mengenhausen, Howard; Keri Nebelsick, Canistota

Master Craftsman Award in Theater
This award is given to graduating seniors who have supported theater in outstanding ways.
Laura Kluckman, Sioux Falls

DWU Future Teachers Organization Service Award
This award is presented to students who have exemplified outstanding service in the field of education, including activities of service to DWU, the community, and area public and private schools.
Amanda Fitzgerald, Philip

DWU Future Teachers Organization Local Leader Award
This award is given to a member of FTO who has taken a leadership role and provided superior guidance in the organization.
Jami Kuta, Grand Island, Neb.

DWU REDI (Rapid Education Development Initiative) Scholars
The REDI Scholars are elementary education students who have demonstrated superior professionalism and ability in the collegiate classroom, designating them as ready to begin early professional experiences as teacher aids in a K-8 setting. The students must be a unanimous choice of the education department faculty in meeting a preselected set of criteria that includes evidence of exceeding expectations for all 10 INTASC standards that frame the education department mission.
Kristi Anderson, Hitchcock; Rhonda Begley, Mitchell; Gail Fisher, Winner; Amanda Fitzgerald, Philip; Tina Glissendorf, White Lake; Erin Haber, Sioux Falls; John Harless, Mt. Vernon; Beth Kopfmann, Minneota, Minn.; Jennifer Pommer, DeSmet; Valerie Reeves, Howard; Stacy Schultz, Wessington Springs; Sarah Wells, Norfolk, Neb.

Erlow and Maxine Wiseman Journalism Award
This endowed fund provides an annual communications/media award for a student involved in journalism.
Benjamin Irlbeck, Wabasha, Minn.

Edith Heritage Garrison Memorial Prize in Writing
This cash award is given to a student in any field of study whose intellectual curiosity and interest in communicating with others leads to outstanding formal and informal essay writing.
Marcia Kear, Mandan, N.D.

Elizabeth Graham Colton Prize in Creative Writing
This cash prize is awarded to a student whose talent, work and promise in creative writing is worthy of recognition.
Dustin Ludens, Geddes

Agnes Hyde Writing Competition
The Agnes Hyde Writing Competition is open to all university students. Prizes are awarded annually for student writing in the categories of essay, poetry and fiction. A student may enter all three categories or enter more than one work in any category. Winners are judged on merit, which is determined by the quality of imagination and sophistication of thought shown by the work, the control of form and skill in the use of language.
Poetry: Dustin Ludens, Geddes, first; Ashley Hoffman, Wessington Springs, second; John Brown, Tripp, third. Fiction: Jenna Anderson, Sheridan, Wyo., first; John McDaniel, Mission, second; Dustin Ludens, third. Essay: Marcia Kear, Mandan, N.D., first; McKenzie Slaba, Geddes, second; Joni Kniffen, Lake Andes, third.

Adkins Mathematics Award
This award is given to encourage mathematics students.
Kristi Kogel, Huron

Janet Glenny Farney Memorial Award
This award is given to a student majoring in mathematics who has overcome extraordinary difficulties in order to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
Carmen Maria Amaya, Edcouch-Elsa, Texas

The Sinfonia Service Award
This award is given to a member of the choir who best represents the characteristics of “Sacrifice or Service” to the music department.
Amy Price, Marquette, Neb.

Mary E. Anderson Freshman Nursing Merit Award
This award is presented to a freshman student in the nursing program who shows scholarship and promise for excellence in nursing.
Danielle Rathjen, Hitchcock

Raymond and Helen Trent Paulsen Memorial Nursing Award
This award is given to a student in the nursing program who is interested in an elderly care career.
Leslie Nebelsick, Elk Point

Katherine McKillop Sophomore Nursing Award
This award is presented to a sophomore student in the nursing program whose scholarship is worthy of recognition.
Kelly Haiar, Alexandria

Nursing Faculty Awards
These awards are given to students who demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning, giving quality care and who have a positive attitude.
Freshmen: Brock Ball, Woonsocket; Angela Costello, Mitchell; Beth Epp, Marion
Sophomores: Jody Klinkhammer, Howard; Jodie Miller, Mobridge; Jaclyn Spencer, Mitchell
Freshmen (Huron Site): Leigh Larson, Huron; Stephanie Mehling, Wessington
LPN-RN (Sioux Falls Site): Roberta Ahlers, Sioux Falls; Robert Sousek, Sioux Falls

Mildred Montag Nursing Scholar Award
This award goes to a student who participates in extracurricular activities and demonstrates an outstanding ability in a clinical setting.
Jessica Mulder, Corsica

Nursing Leadership Award
This award is given to a graduate of the nursing program who has demonstrated leadership skills within student nursing organizations and community activities.
Kim Goodwin, Mitchell

Army Nurse Corps Spirit of Nursing Award
This award is given to a student who exemplifies the “Spirit of Nursing.”
Shauna Kiner, Mitchell

Irene Grace Wendt Endowed Scholarship
This award is presented to the top freshman and to a nontraditional student in the nursing program.
Tonya Estabrook, Woonsocket; Teresa Weber, Emery

Jennifer Dawn (Hoffman) Hauptman Annual Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Jennifer Dawn (Hoffman) Hauptman ’01 who was killed in an air ambulance crash near Dodge City, Kan.
Natalie VanDrongelen, Stickney

James and Zelda Ruddy Nursing Scholarship (Huron Site)
This scholarship is for nursing students who will, in their careers as registered nurses, contribute compassion, kindness and skillful care to others, as nurses in the past had shown to the Ruddys.
Jennifer Anderson, DeSmet; Carla Chesbrough, Artesian; Brook Everts, Huron; Courtney Hammer, Huron

District 5 Medical Society Nursing Scholarship (Huron Site)
The freshman or sophomore nursing students at the Huron Site are awarded this scholarship based on scholarship, and demonstration of leadership and commitment to nursing.
Courtney Hammer, Huron; Stephanie Mehling, Wessington

District 5 Medical Alliance Nursing Scholarship (Huron Site)
Applicants must be from Huron or a surrounding community and must be in the upper one-half of the class. Nontraditional students are given special consideration.
Stephanie Mehling, Wessington

Methodist Hospital Endowed Scholarship
Joni Cuka, Wagner; Jenna Linke, Woonsocket

Mitchell First United Methodist Church/Methodist Hospital Endowed Scholarship
Krystle Alexander, Wabasha, Minn.; Amanda Sedivy, Mitchell

St. Joseph Hospital Endowed Scholarship
Brett Maag, Tripp

Student Support Service Participant Award
This award is given to the outstanding student support members who have demonstrated exceptional personal and academic growth in the current academic year.
Jennifer Schrempp, Eagle Butte; Elisha Webster, Mitchell

American Association of University Women DWU Scholarship
This award is given to female nontraditional junior students with a GPA of 2.5 or above. The cash award is set up as a fund at the campus bookstore.
Karen Antique Gonzalez, Venezuela; Sarah Radel, Parkston

DAKOTACARE Annual Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming freshman who is a South Dakota resident with a stated major in a medically related field such as nursing, sports medicine or biology.
Logan Schmidt, Kimball

Virginia A. Harms Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education
Scholarship recipients are selected by the education faculty based on scholarship, service, ability and a passion for helping all students learn.
Jami Kuta, Grand Island, Neb.; Sarah Wells, Norfolk, Neb.

Honor Societies
Alpha Psi Omega – theater: Heidi Larson, DeSmet; Marcia Kear, Mandan, N.D.; Lionel Riley, Chicago; Katie Jarabek, Mitchell
Phi Kappa Phi – top 10% of seniors and 5% of juniors: Seniors. Toni Aisenbrey, Ethan; Megan Geist, Mitchell; Heather Winnan, Marengo, Ill. Juniors. Erin Haber, Sioux Falls; Keri Nebelsick, Canistota; Amy Price, Marquette, Neb.; Dustin Putnam, Mitchell; Laura Ymker, Mitchell
Pi Gamma Mu – social science fraternity: Seniors. Toni Aisenbrey, Ethan; Jenna Anderson, Sheridan, Wyo.; Matthew Bruzewski, Platteville, Colo.; Victoria Fosheim, Pierre; Megan Geist, Mitchell; Tina Glissendorf, White Lake; Jennifer Gustin, Rapid City; Nikki Hobbie, Mitchell; Christopher Kauwalu-Schultz, Mitchell; Emily Miller, Watertown; Rebecca Nelson, Albequerque, N.M.; Joshua Oltmans, Nelson, Neb.; Jill Parsons, Sioux Falls; Courtney Petersen, Burke; Valerie Reeves; Howard; Amber Tennant, Onida; Jamie Thompson, Plankinton; Angelika Vanden Bos, Platte. Juniors. Kristi Anderson, Hitchcock; Erin Haber, Sioux Falls; Amy Price, Marquette, Neb.; Carey Radway, Milesville; Jill Viedt, Winner; Amanda Williams, Plankinton; Laura Ymker, Mitchell
Pi Kappa Delta – forensics: Jereme Burch, Mitchell; Katrina Jarding, Alexandria; Danna McCloud, Mitchell
Psi Chi – psychology: Gordon Dobson, Greenwood Village, Colo.; Robbie Salmonson, Plankinton; Tosha Vogel, Mitchell; Elisha Webster, Mitchell
Sigma Zeta – science and mathematics: David Anderson, Hooker, Okla.; Keaton Cummings, Rapid City; Heath Eggleston, Howard, Colo.; Bronson Heth, Winner; Nikki Hobbie, Mitchell; Brett Maag, Tripp; Julie Mengenhausen, Howard; Kara Overweg, Mt. Vernon; Zachary Schmidt, Rawlins, Wyo.; Christopher Sheckler, Rock Springs, Wyo.; Victoria Swanson, Winner

Hughes Grant-in-Aid for Summer Experiences Award
The Hughes Grant-in-Aid for Summer Experiences provides an award of up to $2,000 to a biology or mathematics major to pursue summer field and/or research experiences that are not available at Dakota Wesleyan.
Elisha Webster, Mitchell

Matthew D. Smith Scholar-Athlete Award
This award is presented to a scholar-athlete based on academic achievement, athletic participation and leadership on and off the athletic field.
Heather Winnan, Marengo, Ill.

Phi Beta Lambda Scholarship
Heidi Phinney, Mitchell; Adelle Puffer, Hitchcock

Anonymous III Scholarship
Joseph Schoenfelder, Ethan

Homer Carhart Prizes in Science
David Anderson, Hooker, Okla.; Sarah Radel, Parkston

Marjorie Linton O’Byrne and Laura Linton Scholarships
Kristi Anderson, Hitchcock; Erin Day, Mitchell; Steven Deibert, Bridgewater; Traci Dufek, Geddes; Clint Farrar, Hurley; Amanda Fitzgerald, Philip; Whitney Gard, Canton; Tina Glissendorf, White Lake; Christopher Kauwalu-Schultz, Mitchell; Tara Miller, Mitchell; Jennifer Pommer, De Smet; Natasha Robbins, Gettysburg; Stacy Schultz, Wessington Springs; Alison Treib, Mitchell; Amanda Williams, Plankinton

National United Methodist General Scholarship;
Benjamin Bonnett-Brooks, Deadwood; Clint Farrar, Hurley; Gail Fisher, Winner; Tina Glissendorf, White Lake; Tricia Kamps, Tucson, Ariz; Paula Mettler, Wessington Springs; Katie Poppen, Howard; Joseph Shepardson, Sturgis; Jill Viedt, Winner; Jacquelynn Zemlicka, South Shore

National United Methodist Foundation Scholars Program
David Barnes, Mitchell; Dana Baxa, Herrick; Kim Duarte, Seattle; Zane Duarte, Seattle

Hatterscheidt Foundation Scholarships
Heather Bohlander, Cavour; Clint Farrar, Hurley; Allison Hofer, Huron; Jennifer Jorgensen, Winner

Residential Life Program
Jill Parson, Sioux Falls